“I started hunting with my dad as soon as I was old enough to be in the woods,” said hunt director Jeremy Davis. “Hunting has always been a way of life for my family. While taking kids hunting and introducing them to the outdoors has always been important to us, we never imagined organizing a hunt for kids with special needs until we connected with Brigid, and I felt prompted by God to say yes.”
On the afternoon of November 6, 2025, five enthusiastic young hunters with disabilities, along with their parents, arrived at the River Rise Ministry in Gaston, South Carolina. Eager to begin their hunt, the families meticulously unpacked their gear, introduced themselves to their mentors, and promptly headed to their designated hunting blinds, filled with hope for a successful deer harvest. Although the sun set without any deer being harvested, a prevailing sense of ease and optimism remained among the hunters and their mentors, all of whom were hopeful for the opportunities the following day would bring.
The following morning, 13-year-old Christopher and his mentors, Duke McIver and Danny Price, returned to their blind. In time, a buck appeared in the field, stirring a mix of excitement and nervousness in Christopher. As the deer came into view, Christopher composed himself, took aim, and fired. They waited and successfully tracked the buck. Christopher described the moment as “the best feeling ever to get an 8-point buck,” adding, “It feels good to have deer meat to eat and feed my family.”
Fifteen-year-old Joshua shared, “When I first saw the deer, my heart nearly stopped, and everything around me fell silent. As I aimed my rifle, I wondered whether I would hit it or miss, and I thought about the potential recoil. After I shot the deer, I felt a mix of remorse and happiness. My favorite part of the experience was having conversations with my mentor, Mack McIver, about hunting. I learned that patience is a virtue; even if it takes days, you need to keep trying, even when nothing shows up the next day. Just keep at it until you succeed. Hunting is important to me because it gives me a sense of trust and worthiness.” Joshua successfully bagged an impressive 8-point buck and a doe.
Eleven-year-old Braelen hunted with his mentors, Andy McGraw and Jeremy Davis. He expressed his excitement, saying, “I was thrilled to see the deer. I took shots at both a buck and a doe, but we couldn’t track them down. It was still alot of fun! I also got to see turkeys in the field.” Jeremy added, “Braelen told me that shooting a real gun was much cooler than playing Call of Duty, the video game. Even though he didn’t harvest anything, it was exciting and more fun than being in school!”
Nine-year-old Daniel said, “I really want to get a deer, but they were just too far away. Even though I didn’t get one, I learned a lot about hunting from my mentor, Andrew Snelgrove. He taught me to stay still and be quiet in the blind, keeping a lookout for deer. The best part of the hunt was spending time with him and my dad, and listening to the squirrels throughout the day.”
Seventeen-year-old Jeremiah stated, “As soon as the deer came into view, I focused on the spot where I needed to aim, trembling with excitement. All I could think was, ‘Don’t miss.’ I noticed the buck staring directly at my mentor, Joseph Davis, just before I finally took my shot. The deer ran a bit and then dropped, and we were both thrilled. Shortly after, my mentor marked my cheeks and initiated me into the ranks of hunters as part of my rite of passage.” Jeremiah added, “In addition to getting my 8-point buck and a doe, I really enjoyed being in the woods and connecting with nature.”
One of the parents, Kimberly, shared, “In addition to the hunt, the location was incredibly peaceful, and the people there were wonderful. My husband and I didn’t have anything to give for this rewarding opportunity, so we felt compelled to sing a song that is very special to my heart.” Their singing, combined with the deer hunt, had a positive impact on everyone involved. The joy and spirit of the event resonated not only during the hunt but also reached the gates of Heaven, where Jeremy’s son, Avery Davis, who earned his angel wings in November 2023 at age 6, could hear and see it.
Jeremy expressed his gratitude by saying, “First and foremost, I want to thank God, for with Him, all things are possible. I’d also like to extend my thanks to the Emanuel Community Church, River Rise Ministries, Wise Choice Outdoors, the SC DNR Region 3 Unit 3F, and all the mentors and individuals who contributed to making this hunt a success.”
Congratulations to the special hunters and their mentors for bagging three eight-point bucks and two does. Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. God bless!